"Might be because we've had to keep moving all the time," Jask suggests. "We haven't really had the time to reflect on any one particular spot."
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"Oh, we should certainly scout an area before camping there," Jask agrees with Makoa. "I was just suggesting that we should do that before splitting up. In fact, once we get a base camp in operation, we might want to go back to a system like we had on the Shiv, where some of us stay by the camp to hunt and prepare, while the others go out to explore."
"Before we start splitting ourselves up," Jask suggests, "perhaps it would be best to set up a base camp so we have a place to fall back to if we need to."
"I'm not sure we'll really be here all that long," Jask says. "The place is large, but not so large that it'll take more than a few hours to explore, especially if much of it is inaccessible, like the stairs here. The snake person we're looking for is presumably in one of the accessible areas, so shouldn't be too hard to find. By the time we get a base camp set up, the exploration will probably be done."
"That's a fair point," Jask says, then adds quietly to Douena, "I was just trying to diffuse the situation and didn't really think there."
"Splitting up might not be a bad idea," Jask says. "We might be able to move more quickly and stealthily in smaller groups. We should be careful, though."
Jask steps between Mahjik and Pezock. "Perhaps we should explore the accessible areas first."
"Well, I suppose the way we would find out," Jask says, "is to approach the stairs and see what they do."
Jask moves forward and between Douena and Urza to look into the room. With a shrug and a moment of hemming and hawing, Jask says, "Well, I suppose it's one possible interpretation. It could also just be a record of actual people journeying without a religious significance. They could easily have been followers of Desna though. I've no idea what the snakes in the middle of the room are supposed to designate though. They seem separate from the friezes. They almost look like they're guarding the stairs."
"Think what a good distraction they'd make, though," Douena points out. "With the monkeys going one way, no one would notice even the most not-sneaky of all of you going the other way." She regards Jask appraisingly for a moment. "I bet you're more sneaky than you used to be." Jask looks down at him/herself, shrugs, then nods. "I think you might be right, but I haven't really tested it. I am definitely more agile than I used to be. There are a lot of things that I'm physically better at than before. In fact, there are times that I find myself thinking that it's not fair to humans that elves seem to be physically superior, but then I remind myself that this body is also younger than my old body--well, I don't actually know that. It's probably older actually, but because elves age more slowly it's developmentally younger. Or something like that. At any rate, I remind myself that youth accounts for much of my physical gains."
"Do you know what would be fun?" Douena remarks, apropos of nothing. "A decanter of endless monkeys. We should get one of those." Jask frowns. "I'm remembering the Screaming Jungle. I'm not sure a decanter of endless monkeys would be good for our ears. Especially mine. They're more sensitive in this new body."
"I'm not sure splitting up long-term is a good idea," Jask says. "Short-term to search for treasure at the bottom of the well is one thing, but we don't know how long that tunnel goes."
Jask kneels beside Mahjik's limp form and casts a spell to revive the monk.
Jask looks up from studying the carvings on the columns. "Is one of us skilled enough to climb without the rope? If so, that person could wait until last, untie the rope and then climb down. Could be a little risky though."
Jask seems momentarily perplexed, then smiles. "Oh right! You know, I sometimes forget. Still getting used to it." She follows after Douena and Sasha.
Jask shakes her head. "I was out of the loop for too long," she says. "I was already noticing a bunch of new faces during my brief time back there. Besides which, they could also have just been free agents hired by the government for some task. There can't be too many things that would bring them out here though, other than the same thing that's brought us. Which would mean they got ahead of us."
"We'd better find the others before they get too far," Jask says, looking to the south. "They've probably left a fairly obvious trail. Makoa, can you find them?"
"I don't think young people use the word 'spryer,'" Douena muses. "But I guess you're probably older now than you were when you were older. Because of elves being older. If you were your age now, you'd be like a child!" Jask pauses for a moment, then nods. "I hadn't thought of it like that. Still, I feel younger. Do young people really not use 'spryer'? I suppose they don't." "Well, I hope you get the feel real quick. And I'm sure you'll regain your spiritual connection with time. Um, do you think you'll look into your new history and culture or anything?" "Another thing I hadn't thought of," Jask responds. S/he sighs. "I'm really not sure. Physically, I'm an elf, but I never really grew up with them, and I'm not really sure I'd feel part of their culture even if I did study up on it. But I might. Apparently, I have a long life ahead of me now. I'll certainly have lots of time for it."
Jask shrugs. "It's hard to say," s/he says. "It hasn't even been a full day since I woke up in this new body. Strangely, I think I am adjusting to it more easily than I am the fact that my magic is weakened. I know this is a normal effect that comes with rising from the dead, but I am having a much harder time adjusting to it than the fact that, physically, I am so changed." Jask smiles slightly. "Perhaps it is because this new body is, in many ways, better than my previous one. I am younger, stronger, spryer. I have better vision and hearing. I suppose that's easy to get used to. It still feels weird, and I'm sure it'll feel weird for a while yet. And I'm sure there are other things about this body that I haven't experienced yet that will take some getting used to. But overall, I'd call it a good sort of weird."
She leans closer to Jask and pats his/her hand. "Are you all right for traveling?" she asks earnestly. Jask takes a deep breath and nods. "The physical weakness is not going to go away without magical intervention, so I'm simply going to have to make do. As for how I feel mentally... Well, I don't want to hold us up. And perhaps being active and getting back into the thick of things will help me adjust. So yes, I think I'm all right for travelling. Thank you." S/he smiles at Douena.
Jask remains up on the hill for quite some time--well over an hour. Eventually, however, s/he comes back down and sits with the rest of you. "My friends, thank you for everything you've done. I am simply overwhelmed that you have gone to such lengths to bring me back, and I will never forget this. It will take me some time to get used to this new body. There is much that is different. Even the way it sees is new to me. My vision is much clearer, but at the same time, disorienting. I have spent some time praying, and it has helped me clear my mind. Nonetheless, it will still take me a bit of time to adjust fully to this. Please bear with me during this time." Jask pauses for a moment, then continues, "However, although much has changed physically, mentally, I am still me. I still have all my memories--well, I think I do--and I still have my faith and my spells."
Jask thanks Urza for the clothing adjustments and then allows himself to be ushered up the hill by Douena. "Thank you. I just need a little bit of time," s/he says, sitting down by the tree. "Don't worry. I'll adjust."
Turning to Jask,"Welcome back, uh, buddy. You haven't had much time I know, but uh how do you feel?" "Strange. I'm not sure how else to describe it yet. Just strange."
Douena retrieves Jask's pack and then sits beside her companionably. "We thought about trying to raise you with the scroll from the Shiv, but I was afraid I'd mess it all up trying to cast it; and anyway, you were kind of old so it seemed counterproductive. But now look! you're an elf! They live for a really long time! You've got a whole new life, and none of those meanies from the Sargavan government will never know you're you if they want to make trouble for you. You're not all new," she says comfortingly. "One of your teeth is the same." Jask runs a finger over his/her teeth, then frowns and sighs. "I suppose I'll get used to it." S/he grabs the pack, rummages through it, and pulls out some clothes. S/he begins hastily pulling them on, stumbling about a bit on wobbly legs. "Ow!" s/he cries at one point, almost falling over. "These limbs don't move quite the way I expect them to." The clothes are rather poor-fitting now, but they suffice in covering her up. Jask stands unsteadily on her feet. "I think I need to pray a bit. I feel weak. Maybe it's hunger. No, it's more than hunger. It must be that weakening effect of coming back from the dead. I've read about it. But I think I am hungry, too." Jask tries to walk, making it only a few steps before nearly falling over. S/he laughs a little and gives Douena a smile. "Everything's new, it seems." S/he tries a few more steps, which work a little better. Soon, s/he's able to walk back to the camp.
"Funeral? Druid? Cats?" Jask rasps in confusion and runs a hand across his/her face, then stops and stares at the hand. "What happened to my skin?" Jask sits up and looks at the rest of herself. "What happened to me?" He grabs a clump of his now longer hair. "Even my hair is pale. You'd better get me those clothes now. I think I'll just sit here a moment. This is a lot to take in."
Jask looks up at Douena and any of the rest of you standing nearby, then seems to notice the sky up above and the rain falling. "Wha--" Jask's voice cracks on first trying to speak, but finally comes out raspily, "What happened? Where are we? What happened to the intruders?"
"I think we should continue to the city as planned," Jask says. "As Shokambe said before, they are unlikely to be watching everyone who goes in or out. The tree is meant to scare. We shouldn't let it."
"I am happy to be of assistance," Jask replies.
"It probably wouldn't harm our progress to go around," Jask suggests. "In fact, if the ground collapses under us, it could cost us more time getting back out then it would just going around."
"Perhaps they previously only came one at a time," Jask suggests. "Or maybe there was only one to begin with, but he was gradually gathering friends together with news of a great food source."
Jask gathers Mahjik, Sasha, and any other injured party members together in one spot. He waits a moment while Ishirou makes certain all the chemosits are completely dead. He then asks for Nethys's aid in healing everyone. Nethys, however, is apparently in a fickle mood, so Jask has to repeat it a couple of times.
Jask places a conciliatory hand on Shokambe's shoulder. "At least he's going the right direction," the cleric says.
Douena: Jask nods sadly. "It is far beyond my power to restore her vision if she loses it. Hopefully, she has not contracted the disease. She only had a brief exposure. I am also concerned about Mahjik. He was drained by the undead, and it is not a drain I can reverse. With luck, he'll be able to fight it off himself. If not, he'll be stuck with it permanently unless we can acquire more powerful magic for him."
"The main expedition will have too much equipment with them to use the shortcut, anyway," Jask says. "Our objective is to get to Tazion as quickly as possible. We don't need to leave messages about every shortcut we find. We should only warn them of major dangers or delays."
Jask looks carefully at the blue orb and frowns. "It's hard to say, but I think it should be safe to smash it from up close, just so long as we stay on the outside." He takes a tentative step closer to it, then another, and finally moves within 5 ft of it . "Its power seems to be concentrated inside it."
Jask goes over to examine Pezock, who tries to shoo him away at first, but then lets him examine him. "Yours is a little more serious than Douena or Makoa," Jask says. "It will heal on its own, but it will take several days. However, I can help a bit." He lays his hands on the tengu and says a quiet prayer to Nethys. His hands glow lightly and Pezock's dried skin begins to look more normal. The lost feathers don't grow back, but otherwise Pezock now looks fine.
Jask comes over to Douena and examines her face. "It doesn't look serious," he says. "It should clear up in a day or so. Just drink lots of water."
Jask finishes looking over Sasha's hands and arms. "I can't see anything remaining on your skin," he says. "That's not a guarantee of anything, but it's a good sign. We'll keep an eye on you."
Jask asks Athyra as Douena suggests. Athyra's shrugging response needs little translation, but Jask translates anyway. "She doesn't know. She says she just listens to the wind and the clouds." Jask turns back to Athyra and asks her something more. He then translates her reply. "She says we should simply return any bodies we find to the earth where they belong."
Jask begins speaking to her, and after a moment, she hesitantly responds. They then begin a short conversation, calling back and forth to one another. She strokes the neck of her dinosaur, which relaxes. At one point, Jask points to Douena. He then indicates Sasha and looks about for Alton. Noticing the flappybite flying off to the south, he points just as Alton dives down (probably at prey). The woman glares, and yells something angrily at Jask. He quickly responds in an apologetic manner and her anger seems to subside a bit. "I think we're getting through," he says to the rest of you.
Polyglot translation for Douena: "We mean you no harm!" Jask says. "My name is Jask and these are my friends. We are only passing through and we do not wish to take your territory from you. I promise we will not attack you or anything else in your territory."
"Then why are you here in such large numbers and with weapons?" the woman replies. "The weapons are for self-defence only," Jask says. "We are merely travellers on our way eventually to Kalabuto. We need to get to the other side of the hills and cross the plains." The woman considers for a moment. "Very well," she says, stroking the neck of the dinosaur, relaxing it. "But I will watch you until you leave." "We understand," Jask says. He points to Douena. "My friend, Douena here is interested in your dinosaur and where you got it. Don't worry; it is simple curiosity. No one has any desire to take the dinosaur from you. My friend Sasha has a dinosaur, too." He pauses to look for Alton, noticing the flappybite. He points. "Over there." At that moment, Alton dives down, presumably attacking prey. "You said you would not attack anything in this territory!" the woman yells angrily. "My apologies," Jask says, "but he is a young dinosaur and not well trained yet. I will see to it that Sasha keeps him under control." "Oh, I suppose it's all right," the woman says. "Animals must eat, after all." Jask nods.
Jask nods at Lorenz's words. "Yes, that's what scares me too. I'm sure it must be linked in some way to the darkness in Douena's dream. The Pathfinders and the Aspis Consortium and the other groups are looking for fame and riches in this city. I think we need to seek out and stop the darkness. If it weren't for that, I'd be inclined to agree with Douena that things would be better off if the city weren't found."
"There could be many reasons," Jask says. "Perhaps there's something in the city they want. Or maybe they've been hired to assassinate someone in one of the other groups, maybe even us. Whatever the case, I'm more concerned by the revelation there's another darkness that's going on unobserved."
Jask gives Douena a sympathetic smile. "My apologies, Douena," he says. "But if I understand things correctly, we're supposed to meet our guide at dawn, which means we need to be up before dawn. However, if you ask nice enough, maybe Makoa would be willing to carry you to the gates while you sleep some more."
"I suppose it's possible the baron was worried the Pathfinders wouldn't accept a letter delivered by a runner," Jask says to Lorenz. "Still, it is odd, as Amivor said. We should get back to the inn and prepare for our departure in the morning. We have ignored Douena's warnings for too long."
Urza stomps off. He first looks for Douena and Pezock then, if the others follow him, he goes to tell Shokambe. If Shokambe can't leave immediately, Urza will try to get the other guide that was mentioned (he stays out of town right?)
"Lorenz is right," Jask says. "We need to regroup before we rush off anywhere."
Jask stretches his arms and hands, and licks his lips several times to get the taste of the gag out of his mouth. "Thank you, my friends," he says. "I owe you yet again for freeing me from bonds."
Jask nods, unable to speak because of the gag in his mouth. His hands are also still tied.
"I wouldn't go talk to the government," Douena warns. "Once they have us inside their building all surrounded by soldiers and guards, what if they won't let us out again? Jask, if you go back to them and then sneak out of town, won't they just have another reason to track you down and put you back in a cage? After all that trouble to clear your name in the first place! I knew this was a bad city," she grumbles. Jask nods. "They'll try to track me down, but they'll likely do that if I do anything other than work for them to help them find Saventh Yhi. I think the best thing I can do is delay them for a day or two while we prepare for departure. I'll go talk to them in the morning as they requested. I don't know yet exactly what I'll say, but I have all night to figure that out." He smiles at Douena. "Don't worry about me. They won't arrest me right away."
"Kidnap us, no," Jask says, "but arrest us, yes. If I don't show up tomorrow, they will start looking for me, and if they don't find me, they'll look for the rest of you, since they know you're associated with me. It would probably be best if I show up tomorrow and try something similar to what Mahjik suggested. The bureaucracy in this city can be quite convoluted. I may be able to keep them tied up in paperwork for a few days, giving us enough time to find out where we're going and then make a break for it." He takes a deep breath and sighs. "It figures. I finally clear my name, and then I end up actually conspiring against the government. A little of the good. A little of the bad. Such are the ways of Nethys."
"Perhaps we should wait until we know where we're going," Jask suggests. "Once we know that, we can determine if we can find the location on our own or if we'll need some help."
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